LEAD Coaches

Alix Felsing

As an organization development consultant, executive coach, and teacher of resilience and journaling, she helps people reconsider their assumptions. As an editor of books and book proposals, she helps writers clarify their thinking and shape their work.

She designs training that prompts greater self-awareness, autonomy and competence. She uses practical strategies to help clients achieve their goals.

Alix discovered a love of teaching and coaching when she coordinated training efforts for McClatchy’s regional publishing center at The Charlotte Observer. She organized, created and led strategic training as the publishing center added online publishing capacity to its print-oriented world.

During that time, she earned a master’s degree in organization development and a coaching certificate from Queens University of Charlotte, developing expertise in resilience and career derailment.

Alix is certified to administer the WorkPlace Big Five Profile™4.0 and SchoolPlace Big Five™ 4.0 personality assessments, the WorkPlace Values Profile™3.0, the DISC plus Values communication assessment, the Actualized Leader Profile and the Group Culture Profile. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University.

Jim Merhaut

Jim Merhaut is the Founder and Director of Coaching to Connect, a training and coaching service offered to individuals, organizations, and couples. Jim is a professional executive and life coach and holds a certification credential from the International Coach Federation. He is also a leadership consultant & trainer, writer, retreat leader and is internationally known for his coaching, speaking, and expertise in lifelong faith formation. He holds a Master of Science degree in Religious Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He is an award-winning author and co-author of nine books and dozens of other publications. Jim’s most recent contribution was to the Lifelong Faith book, Seasons of Adult Faith Formation. He was also the principal writer and project coordinator for Families on a Mission: A Family Service and Mission Experience.

Jim has over 3 decades of Church ministry experience. He most recently served as the Project Coordinator for Lifelong Faith Formation Services at the Center for Ministry Development and was the President and CEO of Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center. Jim offers keynotes, retreats, and workshops specializing in ministry leadership, marriage skills, lifelong faith formation and spirituality. He is also a professional musician and recording artist with singer/songwriter, JD Eicher. Jim and his wife, Debbie, have five children and reside in Youngstown, Ohio where they enjoy organic gardening, walks in the park, and pursuing a simple lifestyle.

Jessica Smith-Perry

Jessica is passionate about developing leaders, re-engaging teams, and supporting people to live and work at their best. Her strengths are in working with clients to tap into their highest potential, vision and strategize in new ways, clarify communications, and develop concrete action plans for significant change. In addition to 1:1 and organizational coaching, she facilitates trainings and workshops for groups on a variety of organizational engagement and values-based topics. Jessica also has a passion for teaching the coach-approach to organizational leaders.

LEAD’s mission is bold and innovative, and Jessica is honored to serve leaders to enhance the work God calls them to do in their communities. She approaches this work with confidence, humility and a strong commitment for transformative change. Everyone and every organization is capable of growth, and Jessica knows that coaching is the fastest, most effective, and most sustainable vehicle for change.

Jessica worked in non-profit management for more than ten years before shifting careers into professional coaching. After experiencing her own enhanced leadership from working with a coach, Jessica knew this would be able to serve others passionately and effectively as a coach.

Jessica holds a BA in Communication from St. Edward’s University (Austin, TX) and a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University (Victoria, BC). She is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Her strong business acumen, multi-systems viewpoint, ability to quickly assess the political and economic realities both within the organization as well as its competitive environment, provide her with a deep appreciation for how people, teams and organizations are impacted by change. Her approach is to help leaders to organize their thinking, and to become more objective while developing a greater capacity to manage change. These attributes, along with her ability to forge robust partnerships across all levels of the organization provide the basis for Jane’s success.

Jane is an Executive Coach, consultant, facilitator and trainer, and the Principal and owner of Clarity Though Coaching, LLC. She holds a Masters of Science in Executive Coaching (MSEC) degree from Queens University, and a BA degree in history. She is a certified Professional Project Manager (PMP), and has earned advanced certification in the governance of enterprise information technology (CGEIT).